How to Perform Hanuman Jayanti Puja at Home

Hanuman Jayanti celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman — a day devotees mark with fasting, recitation and heartfelt puja. You don't need an elaborate setup to honour Bajrangbali at home; a clean space, a few offerings and sincere devotion are enough. This guide walks you through preparing for the day, the puja vidhi step by step, and the offerings Hanuman loves.

When is Hanuman Jayanti?

Hanuman Jayanti falls on the full-moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Chaitra, usually in March or April. Some regions in South India observe it at a different time of year, but the Chaitra Purnima date is the most widely celebrated. Devotees often begin the day before sunrise, since the early morning is considered the most auspicious time to remember Hanuman.

How do you prepare for Hanuman Jayanti puja?

Clean the puja space the night before and take a bath early on the day, wearing fresh clothes — red or orange is traditional, as these are Hanuman's colours. Set up your Hanuman murti or image at chest height, facing west or south so you face east or north. Gather your samagri: a diya with ghee or oil, incense, sindoor and chameli (jasmine) oil, fresh flowers (red especially), a janeu if you have one, and bhog. Many devotees keep a vrat (fast) through the day.

What is the step-by-step puja vidhi?

Begin by lighting the diya and incense and invoking Hanuman with folded hands. Offer sindoor mixed with a little chameli oil to the murti — Hanuman is traditionally adorned with sindoor. Offer flowers, then bhog. Recite the Hanuman Chalisa (once, or seven or eleven times), followed by the Bajrang Baan or Sundarkand if you wish. Conclude with aarti, circling the lit diya before the murti, and finally offer pranam and share the prasad.

What bhog and offerings does Hanuman like?

Hanuman is fond of simple, sattvic offerings. The most beloved bhog is boondi laddu, along with besan laddu, jaggery (gur), roasted gram (chana), bananas and other fruit. A tulsi leaf placed on the bhog is auspicious. Offer the bhog with devotion, then distribute it as prasad — sharing is part of the blessing. Keep everything fresh and pure; avoid onion, garlic and any non-sattvic food on this day.

What should you avoid on Hanuman Jayanti?

• Non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion and garlic — keep the day sattvic.
• Cutting hair or nails, as per common observance.
• Speaking harshly or quarrelling — the day is for restraint and devotion.
• Letting the diya go out mid-puja, if you can help it.
• Performing the puja in unclean clothes or an unclean space.